Vaporized medicants and methods of use

Abstract

A method and formulation for delivering an active compound in a vaporized state using low temperatures to vaporize the formulation. The formulation contains an inert non-reactive compound that lowers the heat of vaporization of the formulation, and the active compound. The formulation may optionally contain glycerin, alcohol, and/or water. Examples of inert non-reactive compounds that can sufficiently lower the heat of vaporization of the formulation include propylene glycol and polysorbate. The formulation can be vaporized using a hand-held low temperature vaporizer or atomizer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising:
 a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization at a low temperature, the medicant solution, comprising:
 i. an inert non-reactive compound comprising polysorbate, 
 ii. melatonin, 
 iii. water in an amount of approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent of the medicant solution, and 
 iv. alcohol in an amount of approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent of the medicant solution; and 
 
 b. vaporizing the medicant solution at the low temperature such that an effective serving of the melatonin is provided to the user for inhalation, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C., wherein the step of vaporizing the medicant solution comprises using a low temperature vaporizer. 
 
     
     
       2. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising:
 a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization at a low temperature, the medicant solution, comprising:
 i. an inert non-reactive compound, and 
 ii. melatonin; and 
 
 b. vaporizing the medicant solution at the low temperature such that an effective serving of the melatonin is provided to the user for inhalation, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of vaporizing the medicant solution comprises using a low temperature vaporizer. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent water. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent alcohol. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the inert non-reactive compound is polysorbate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the polysorbate is present in an amount of about 1 percent to about 30 percent of the medicant solution. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the polysorbate is present in an amount of about 5 percent to about 20 percent of the medicant solution. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polysorbate is present in an amount of about 5 percent to about 15 percent of the medicant solution. 
     
     
       10. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising:
 a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization at a low temperature, the medicant solution, comprising:
 i. an inert non-reactive compound, and 
 ii. a sleep aid; and 
 
 b. vaporizing the medicant solution at the low temperature such that an effective serving of the sleep aid is provided to the user for inhalation, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of vaporizing the medicant solution comprises using a low temperature vaporizer. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inert non-reactive compound comprises polysorbate. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent alcohol. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the low temperature is from approximately 100 degrees C. to approximately 160 degrees C. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the low temperature is from approximately 110 degrees C. to approximately 140 degrees C. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent water. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent alcohol. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the low temperature is from approximately 100 degrees C. to approximately 160 degrees C.